two sheets; that having three half-sheets marked, and but one unmarked; this one marked, and three unmarked.) The signature e hath five halfsheets (or 2 sheets ;) of which e iiii. e v. and those answering to them, e 6. e 7. are marked; the other three half-sheets, being unmarked. The custom being then (as now it is) to set the mark of the paper in each sheet, in the middle of one of the half-sheets, and not of the other.*

* Of this extraordinary book, besides the two copies here noticed, there are others in the following libraries: the King's; Public Library at Cambridge; the Earl of Pem broke's, (Herbert 1391;) All Souls' College, Oxford; and one lately discovered in London, now in the collection of the Marquis of Blandford, who purchased it by auction for ninety-one pounds. The authenticity of the date has been questioned and defended at too great a length to admit of a review of the arguments on both sides in this note: the curious reader, however, may refer to

The Original and Growth of Printing, by Richard Atkyns, Esq. London, 1664, 8vo.

A Dissertation concerning the Origin of Printing in England, by Conyers Middleton, D.D. Cambridge, 1735, 4to. Essays on the Origin of Printing, by Bowyer and Nichols. London, 1774, 8vo.

Typographical Antiquities, by Ames and Herbert, London, 1790, 4to. p. 1386.

Memoir on the Origin of Printing, by Ralph Willett, Esq. Archæologia. London, 1794, 4to. xi. 267.

Qrigin and Progress of Writing, by Thomas Astle, Esq. London, 1803, 4to.

In Brazen-nose College Library there is a parchment book in folio, printed at Oxford,

Typographical Antiquities of Great Britain, by the Rev. T. F. Dibdin. London, 1810, 4to. &c. &c.

That the volume was printed at Oxford in the year it professes to have been, there remains no doubt in the opinion of the writer of this note, whether by Corsellis is another question, and one which rests upon no good authority. All the argument brought against the date is, the bare probability that an X might have been dropped by accident or design. That it was not owing to the former is clear from the exact proportion of the space between each word in the line, for had a letter fallen out, it must have been next to impossible, that every other letter or figure should have worked up in precise regularity, as the fac-simile given in Herbert's Ames, shews to be the case.

As to the letter being dropped or rather omitted (for it could not as we have seen been dropped) by design: it need only be asked why should any one have attempted the deception, or what purpose could its success have answered? It could not have been done when Caxton's press existed, because the cheat must have been publicly known, and what advantage could have been reaped by any man, or body of men, at a subsequent period, by proving merely, that the University of Oxford possessed the knowledge of and exe cuted an art of public utility three years before it was prac tised at Westminster?

The writer of this note has, since the sheet was sent to press, been favoured with a very interesting pamphlet on this curious book by Mr. Singer. He had no doubts on the authenticity of the volume before; but a perusal of this

A. D. 1481, viz. Alexandri [Aphrodisiensis] Expositio super tres libros de Anima. At the end of it are these words printed: Impressum per me Theodoricum Wod de Colonia in Alma Universitate Oxon. Anno Incarnationis Dnice M.CCCC.LXXXI. XI die mensis Octobris. Another copy of the same edition is in Oriel College Library.*

LETTER LXI.

Sir HANS SLOANE to Dr. CHARLETT.

History of Jamaica.-Error in the Map.-Union of Libraries.

BIR,

London, April 26, 1707.

I GIVE you many thanks for your letters which have only one fault in being too short. I would now and then give you the trouble of some much longer were not my time taken up with things of great necessity, which takes away the pleasure of the lives of physicians, and other professions, who are called upon of a sudden upon occasions that will not stay. I hope this

tract has confirmed him in his opinion, that the book was published at Oxford in the year in which it professes to have been printed.

* See Herbert's Typographical Antiquities, iii. 1394.

will excuse my not writing so often as I ought, for I will assure you this is the third post-night I designed to thank you for your letter wherein you are pleased to think my book of Jamaica any ways tolerable. I will order the fault to be mended you mention, the omission of Guadalupe in one of the maps. The graver was Mr. Harris, one of the best of that trade for maps, and yet you see what an error he has committed. That and more of the same nature will be mended ere the plates be used again. I thank you for your present of the Geneva letter, &c. which I have received. Baron Spanheim goes on apace with the second volume of his medals.

Here are great designs on foot for uniting the Queen's library, the Cotton, and the Royal Society together. How soon they may be put in practice time must discover. I am, with great respect, Your most obedt. Servt.

HANS SLOANE.

LETTER LXII.

ROBERT NELSON, Esq. to Dr. CHARLETT.

The Armenian Archbishop.-Potter on Church Government.

REVEREND SIR,

I was very unfortunate not to see your worthy neighbour the President of C. C. C.

when he was in town; but your obliging letter of the 22 April was left at my house, whereby I perceive you received from me the first news of the Armenian Archbishop, who designs, as I am informed, to set out this week for Oxford, with a cargo of those books he has printed in his own language for the promoting piety and learning, which he designs as a present to the public library. I need not entreat your favour in his behalf, your own obliging disposition will prompt you to do him what service lies in your power. He has not procured above 200 as yet towards his admirable design, neither, as I understand, does he aim at above 100 more; which shews that he is not very intent upon gain. I must beg the favour of you to recommend him to our worthy friend the President, who is able and ready for good works. I rather chuse this way of making the Archbishop known to you than by sending a letter by himself, because this leaves you more at your liberty. I have just finished Dr. Potter's Discourse of Church Government, which I look upon as a most admirable performance, and which will, I hope, by the blessing of God, rectify those loose notions which too many learned and judicious men have entertained in the matter. I am glad such a book comes from that quarter, for I apprehend that set of men stand most in need of it. By my consent every candidate of Holy Orders should be obliged to give a perfect account of it